Adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector

ABSTRACT

An adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector includes a deflector body directly attached on the firearm; wherein the deflector body includes a front side having a deflecting surface facing an expected trajectory of spent cartridge casings and being near an ejection port; wherein the deflector body is rotatably arranged on the firearm via an adjustable axis to adjust a direction of the deflecting surface; wherein the adjustable axis is configured to be rotated for selectively tightening or untightening the deflector body mounted on the firearm.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge deflector, and more particularly to an adjustable cartridge casing deflector, wherein the deflector body may be rotatably and detachably arranged on a firearm for adjusting a direction of a deflecting surface of the deflector body.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, a cartridge deflector is a device for deflecting spent cartridge casings ejected from the firing chamber of a firearm. For example, while the firearms, such as AK rifles, have no brass deflector attached thereon, the spent cartridge casings may be ejected towards the shooter, and hit the shooter. Therefore, the firearms, such as AR refiles, may have a fixed brass deflector attached thereon and having a deflecting surface to deflect the spent casings.

One non-limiting example of the problems associated with the conventional brass deflector is that the brass deflector may be integrated to the firearm and made of the same metal parts as the firearm. The brass deflector is typically molded on the firearm, and the molding attachment may be permanent fixed on the firearm and without having additional functions to adjust a direction of the deflecting surface of the brass deflector. This conventional type of brass deflector may not be designed for replacement. This may at least result the damage brass deflector which may affect the accuracy and efficiency of the deflection trajectory for the spent cartridge casings.

In most of the situation, the spent cartridge casings may be ejected from an ejection por of the firearm along an expected trajectory, and then the spent cartridge casings may hit the brass deflector to form a deflection angle. It is hard to control the deflection angle.

Typically, each of the ejected spent cartridge casings may be ejected from the ejection port with different speeds and trajectories. For example, the speeds and trajectories of the ejected spent casings may be affected by various factors, such as types of bolt carriers and operations conditions. In different shooting conditions, the shooters may have to utilize various styles of brass deflectors in order to deflect the spent cartridge casings to one place for easy pickup.

There may exist a desire to develop an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector which enable to adjust the direction of the deflecting surface and also could be detachable on the firearm for easy replacement.

All referenced patents, applications and literatures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. The disclosed embodiments may seek to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned desires. Although the present embodiments may obviate one or more of the above-mentioned desires, it should be understood that some aspects of the embodiments might not necessarily obviate them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a general implementation, an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector comprises a deflector body directly attached on the firearm; wherein the deflector body comprises a front side having a deflecting surface facing an expected trajectory of spent cartridge casings and being near an ejection port; wherein the deflector body is rotatably arranged on the firearm via an adjustable axis to adjust a direction of the deflecting surface; wherein the adjustable axis is configured to be rotated for selectively tightening or untightening the deflector body mounted on the firearm.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, at least one of the deflecting surface defines a front edge directly attached to a firearm.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the adjustable axis is a screw.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector body further comprises a rear side having a rear edge directly attached to the firearm and the rear edge is opposite of the front edge.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the ejection port comprises a top edge defining a top extending line extending to the deflector body to form an adjustable angle with respect to a front extending line extending from the front edge.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector body is counterclockwise rotated to minimize the adjustable angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector body is clockwise rotated to enlarge the adjustable angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector body further comprises a through hole extending through the deflector body and the adjustable axis is embedded therein.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector body is a triangular prism.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflecting surface is an angled surface.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the rear side further comprises a retaining surface integrally extended from the deflecting surface to form an acute angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the retaining surface is an angled surface.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflecting surface is configured to deflect the ejected spent cartridge casings at a desired deflection angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflecting surface is configured to deflect to ejected spent cartridge casings at a desired deflection angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector further comprises a guiding track formed on the firearm and the deflector body is arranged within the guiding track.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the front edge and the rear edge are slidable along the guiding track to control a rotation of the deflector.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the guiding track comprises a first curved track which matches with the rear edge and a second curved track which matches with the front edge.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the deflector further comprises a right side and a left side configured to define a thickness of the deflector body, wherein the thickness near the front edge is greater than the thickness near the rear edge.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the retaining surface further comprises a through hole extending through the deflector body and the adjustable axis is embedded therein.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the guiding track is downwardly concaved to be formed on the firearm and a contour of a bottom side of the deflector body is slidable along the guiding track.

Another aspect of the embodiment is directed to a method for adjusting an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector attached on firearm, wherein the method may include:

untightening a deflector body; rotating an adjusting axis to adjust a direction of a deflecting surface of the deflector body;

tightening the deflector body.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above and below as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, example operations, methods, or processes described herein may include more steps or fewer steps than those described. Further, the steps in such example operations, methods, or processes may be performed in different successions than that described or illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the embodiment in any manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector attached on a firearm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector according to an embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector according to an embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector according to an embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The different aspects of the various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

FIG. 1 generally depicts views of an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector attached on a firearm 20 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 generally depicts a deflector body 10 attached to the right side of the firearm 20 near an ejection port 21. Here, the spent cartridge casings after a use of the firearm may be ejected from the ejection port 21 in an expected trajectory A, and hit on a deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10 to fly in an adjustable trajectory Z. The deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10 may be configured to deflect the ejected spent cartridge casings at a desired deflection angle, wherein the desired deflection angle may be desirable to defect the spent casings downward towards the ground at a shorter deflection distance or upward towards the sky at opposite direction of the shooter.

FIG. 2 generally depicts a sectional view of the adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector attached on the firearm 20 according to an embodiment, wherein the adjustable trajectory may be adjusted by adjusting an impact angle B formed between the deflecting surface 11 and the expected trajectory A. Here, the deflector body 10 may be rotated to enlarge or reduce the impact angle B in order to adjust the adjustable trajectory, and the spent casings may fly along a desired direction without hitting the shooter.

In an embodiment, the adjustable spent cartridge casings deflector comprises the deflector body 10 having a bottom side directly attached on the firearm 20, wherein the deflector body 10 may be rotatably arranged on the firearm 20 along an adjustable axis 12. The adjustable axis 12 is an object which is enough to secure and rotate the deflector body 10 on the firearm 20. In addition, the adjustable axis 12 may be enough to accommodate a lateral force effected contact with the ejected casings. For example, while the adjustable axis 12 is not strong enough to overcome the lateral force, the adjustable axis 12 may be ripped or bumped off the firearm 20. Here, the adjustable axis 12 is a multi-functional object. In an embodiment, the adjustable axis 12 may be a screw enable to not only secure the deflector body 10 on the firearm 20, but also allow the deflector body 10 being rotatably arranged on the firearm 20.

It is noted that the adjustable axis 12 may be configured to be rotated for selectively tightening or untightening the deflector body 10 mounted on the firearm 20. For example, the adjustable axis 12 may be rotated at a direction to untighten the deflector body 10 and allow the deflector body 10 being rotated for facing towards a desired direction, and the adjustable axis 12 may be further rotated at an opposite direction to tighten and secure the deflector body 10 on the firearm 20.

In an embodiment, the deflector body 10 may be detachable on the firearm 20 or affixed on the firearm 20 via the adjustable axis 12. In other words, the deflector body 10 and the firearm 20 are two separate objects.

Referring to the details of FIG. 2, the deflector body 10 comprises a front side having the deflecting surface 11 facing the expected trajectory A of spent cartridge casings and being near the ejection port 21, and a rear side opposite of the front side and having a rear edge 14 directly attached to the firearm 20.

In an embodiment, the deflecting surface 11 defines a front edge 13 directly attached to a firearm 20 and the front edge 13 is opposite of the rear edge 14, wherein the front edge 13 may define a front extending line 131. The ejection port 21 comprises a top edge defining a top extending line 211 extending to the deflector body 10 to form an adjustable angle B1 with respect to the front extending line 131. The adjustable angle B1 may be adjusted by rotating the deflector body 10.

In an embodiment, the deflector body 10 may be counterclockwise or/and clockwise rotated via the adjustable axis 12 to adjust the adjustable angle B1. For example, while the deflector body 10 is counterclockwise rotated, the adjustable angle B1 may be enlarged. In the other words, while the deflector body 10 is clockwise rotated, the adjustable angle B1 may be reduced. The top extending line 211 may be a fixed line during the rotation of the deflector body 10. Only the direction of the front extending line 131 may be changed during the rotation.

In an embodiment, the impact angle B formed between the deflecting surface 11 and the expected trajectory A may be adjusted by counterclockwise or/and clockwise rotating the deflector body 10. For example, while the expected trajectory A is fixed, the deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10 may be counterclockwise rotated to reduce the impact angle B. For example, while the expected trajectory A is fixed, the deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10 may be clockwise rotated to increase the impact angle B.

In an embodiment, the deflector body 10 further comprises a retaining surface 15 integrally extended with the deflecting surface 11 and a through hole 151 extending through the deflector body 10 from the retaining surface 15. As discussed above with respect to the deflector body 10, the adjustable axis 12 is located in the through hole 151 and embedded inside the deflector body 10. Here, the deflecting surface 11 may be configured to deflect the spent casings and the retaining surface 15 may be configured to be arranged with the adjustable axis 12. Typically, the retaining surface 15 may not be designed for impact and/or deflection. In other words, at least partially of the deflecting surface 11 may be faced towards the ejection port or the expected trajectory A for deflecting the ejected spent casings.

In an embodiment, the firearm 20 further comprises a guiding track 22 and the bottom side of the deflector body 10 is arranged along and/or within the guiding track 22. Here, the guiding track 22 may be downwardly concaved to be formed on the firearm 20 and a contour of the guiding track 22 may be slightly larger than a contour of the bottom side of the deflector body 10. As discussed above with respect to the rotation of the deflector body 10, the contour of the bottom side of deflector body 10 may be slidable along the guiding track 22. In other words, the front edge 13 and the rear edge 14 of the deflector body 10 may be slidable along the guiding track 22 to control the rotation of the deflector body 10. The guiding track 22 comprises a first curved track 221 having a contour which matches with a contour of the rear edge 14 of the deflector body 10, and a second curved track 222 having a contour which matches with the front edge 13 of the deflector body 10. For example, while the deflector body 10 may be counterclockwise rotated, the contour of the rear edge 14 of the deflector body 10 may coincide with or be biased against the first curved track 221, and simultaneously the contour of the front edge 13 of the deflector body 10 may coincide with the contour of the second curved track 222. In other words, when the deflector body 10 may be clockwise rotated, the contour of the rear edge 14 of the deflector body 10 may detach from the first curved track 221, and simultaneously the contour of the front edge 13 of the deflector body 10 may detach from the second curved track 222. This would have an effect on the value of the adjustable angle B1 and the impact angle B.

In an embodiment, as discussed above the rotation of the deflector body 10, the adjustable angle B1 may comprise a maximum adjustable angle and a minimum adjustable angle, wherein the maximum adjustable angle may be defined by the counterclockwise rotation of the deflector body 10 and the minimum adjustable angle may be defined by the clockwise rotation of the deflector body 10. For example, the maximum adjustable angle may be reached by counterclockwise rotating the deflector body 10 and the minimum adjustable angle may be reached by clockwise rotating the deflector body 10. Here, a difference between the maximum adjustable angle and the minimum adjustable angle may be less than 45 degrees.

In an embodiment, as discussed above the rotation of the deflector body 10, at the situation of the expected trajectory A being fixed, the impact angle B may comprise a maximum impact angle and a minimum impact angle, wherein the maximum impact angle may be defined by the clockwise rotation of the deflector body 10 and the minimum impact angle may be defined by the counterclockwise rotation of the deflector body 10. For example, the maximum impact angle may be reached by clockwise rotating the deflector body 10 and the minimum impact angle may be reached by counterclockwise rotating the deflector body 10. Here, a difference between the maximum impact angle and the minimum impact angle may be less than 45 degrees.

FIGS. 3-4 generally depicts views of the adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the deflector body 10 further comprises additional surfaces or sides (e.g., a right surface 16 and a left surface 17) that are not designed for impact and/or deflection. The deflecting surface 11 may be defined by the right surface 16 and the left surface 17. Here, an area of the deflecting surface 11 may be defined by a distance between the right surface 16 and the left surface 17. In an embodiment, the right surface 16 may not be parallel with the left surface 17, with one surface (e.g., the right surface or the left surface) having a larger area and may have a larger height than the other. The additional surfaces may further comprise a front surface 18 integrally extended between the right surface 16 and the left surface 17, wherein the retaining surface 15 may be defined by the left surface 17, the right surface 16, and the front surface 18. Here, an area of the retaining surface 15 may be defined by a distance between the right surface 16 and the front surface 18, and a length of the front surface 18.

In an embodiment, the deflector body 10 may comprise a thickness being defined between the right surface 16 and the left surface 17, wherein the thickness near the front edge/front side of the deflector body 10 is greater than the thickness near the rear side/rear edge of the deflector body.

In an embodiment, the additional surfaces or sides (e.g., the right surface 16 and the left surface 17) may be flat surfaces or curved surfaces. Theses additional surfaces or sides may be used to carry labels, logos, other brandings, or for other uses as needed, These additional surfaces or sides may be used for impact and/or deflection as needed.

In an embodiment, the additional surfaces or sides (e.g., the right surface 16 or the left surface 17) may define a bottom side edge 171 being selectively biased against the contour of the guiding track 22. For example, when the deflector body 10 may be counterclockwise rotated, the bottom side edge 171 may be separated from the contour of the guiding track 22. For example, when the deflector body 10 may be clockwise rotated, the bottom side edge 171 may be coincided with the contour of the guiding track 22.

In an embodiment, the front surface 18 may comprise a bottom front edge 181 being biased against the contour of the guiding track 22. During the rotation of the deflector body 10, the bottom front edge 181 may be biased against and along the contour of the guiding track 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, the deflector body 10 may be a triangular prism, with the deflecting surface 11 being a flat surface and the retaining surface 15 being a flat surface. The retaining surface 15 may be integrally extended with the deflecting surface 11 to form an acute angle. In an embodiment, the deflecting surface 11 is an angled surface and the retaining surface 15 is an angled surface.

In an embodiment, the angled deflecting surface 11 may comprise a slope which is greater than a slope of the angled retaining surface 15.

In an embodiment, the slope of the retaining surface 15 may be defined by heights and shapes of the right surface 16 and the left surface 17.

In another embodiment, the adjustable axis 12 may be located at any location of the deflector body 10 in order to rotate the deflector body 10 and the deflecting surface 11 may be faced at the desired direction.

The contemplated further comprises a method for adjusting an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector attached on firearm 20, wherein the method may include:

untightening a deflector body 10;

rotating an adjusting axis 12 to adjust a direction of a deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10;

tightening the deflector body 10.

In an embodiment, the adjustable axis 12 may be an objects enable to not only secure the deflector body 10 on the firearm 20, but only to adjust the direction of the deflecting surface 11 of the deflector body 10.

Similarly, while operations and/or methods may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations and/or method steps be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiment includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of an adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the disclosed concepts herein. The disclosed embodiments, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring at least one element from the group which includes N, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims therefore include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 

1. An adjustable spent cartridge casing deflector, comprising: a deflector body directly attached on a firearm; wherein the deflector body comprises a front side having a deflecting surface facing an expected trajectory of spent cartridge casings and being near an ejection port; wherein the deflector body is rotatably arranged on the firearm via an imaginary adjustable axis to adjust a direction of the deflecting surface; wherein the imaginary adjustable axis is configured to be rotated for selectively tightening or untightening the deflector body mounted on the firearm; wherein the firearm further comprises a guiding track and the deflector body is arranged within the guiding track, and the guiding track comprises a first curved track which matches with a contour of the rear edge and a second curved track which matches with a contour of the front edge.
 2. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflecting surface defines a front edge directly attached to a firearm.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The deflector of claim 2, wherein the deflector body further comprises a rear side having a rear edge directly attached to the firearm and the rear edge is opposite of the front edge.
 5. The deflector of claim 2, wherein the ejection port comprises a top edge defining a top extending line extending towards the deflector body to form an adjustable angle with respect to a front extending line extending from the front edge.
 6. The deflector of claim 5, wherein the deflector body is counterclockwise rotated to enlarge the adjustable angle.
 7. Th deflector of claim 5, wherein the deflector body is clockwise rotated to reduce the adjustable angle.
 8. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflector body further comprises a through hole extending through the deflector body and the imaginary adjustable axis is embedded therein.
 9. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflector body is a triangular prism.
 10. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflecting surface is an angled surface.
 11. The deflector of claim 4, wherein the rear side further comprises a retaining surface integrally extended from the deflecting surface to form an acute angle.
 12. The deflector of claim 11, wherein the retaining surface is an angled surface.
 13. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflector body further comprises a left surface and a right surface, and the deflecting surface is integrally extended between the left surface and the right surface.
 14. The deflector of claim 13, wherein the deflector body further comprises a front surface integrally extended between the left surface and the right surface and opposite of a retaining surface.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the front edge and the rear edge are slidable along the guiding track to control a rotation of the deflector body.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The deflector of claim 4, further comprising a right surface and a left surface, wherein the right and left surfaces are configured to define a thickness of the deflector body, wherein the thickness near the front edge is greater than the thickness near the rear edge.
 19. The deflector of claim 11, wherein the retaining surface further comprises a through hole extending through the deflector body and the imaginary adjustable axis is embedded therein.
 20. (canceled) 